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Rim Lichen

…lichens are organisms composed of algae and fungus, living in a symbiotic relationship?

…lichens are organisms that can occupy even very marginal conditions, such as high latitudes and altitudes?

…lichens are sensitive to industrial pollution, but some, like Lecanora thrive in such conditions?

…since lichens grow quite slowly and live a long time, they are used to determine ages of exposed rock faces?

Lecanora muralis by Daryl Thompson - image is under CC BY-SA

Lecanora - image is under CC BY-SA of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

General info

Phylum: Ascomycota

Class: Lecanoromycetes

Order: Lecanorales

Size: 5 cm average

Habitat: walls

Distribution: cosmopolitan

Relationship with humans: neutral

Biology

Lichens are examples of mutually advantageous cooperation between algae (Chlorophyta or Cyanophyta) and fungi (Ascomycota). The algae produce sugar via photosynthesis, the fungi absorbs water vapor and guards against solar radiation. Lichens grow very slowly, around several millimeters per year. The species Lecanora muralis is quite variable and probably represents several closely related species. It grows in markedly green rosettes, closely adhering to the substrate.